"Oh God, they've sent us a Barbie....."

So I thought that it was about time that I wrote a bit about my school, IES San Tome de Freixiero, as this is the reason why I'm really here having this great time. I'm pretty lucky in the sense that my school is quite centrally located - it's on Gran Via, so the main road in Vigo, next to Plaza America. From my house it's about a 35 minute walk, which is a nice, relaxed stroll when I'm coming home in the afternoons.

My school

I only work 4 days a week - I have Mondays off, which is the perfect day for catching up from the weekend. Lots of people only work 3 days a week, but I can't really complain too much when my school is a lot closer than most peoples... my housemate Lily works in Porrino, a 30 minute drive away, and I also have a friend who works in Tui, a 45 minute drive from Vigo. A 15 minute bus journey, or a 5 minute car journey is nothing compared to that.

I'm really excited to be here this year. It's the 50th anniversary of the school, and so throughout the year there are lots of celebrations planned. All of my teachers are super excited, so it's nice to have the opportunity to be a part of it all.

I teach 14 classes a week to a variety of different age groups. My favourites (I know we're not supposed to have them, but EVERYONE definitely does) are the 2o and 3o ESO, who are aged 12-14. They're at the age where they're still really excited to learn, eager to ask me questions, and keen to share their opinions, which is great. It makes things for me a lot easier - there is nothing worse than teaching a class, asking for people's opinions and participation, and being met with blank faces, when I know that they understand what I'm saying. I would say that 4o ESO are my least favourite, but just because I don't teach them as often. As 15-16 year olds, they are all a lot more self-conscious, and more worried about being cool than improving their English, which can be frustrating at times.

 The view from my school

I surprisingly enjoy teaching the Bachillerato students (the equivalent of Upper Sixth). It's nice to be able to have in depth conversations about pretty much any topic, from McDonalds and Coca Cola taking over the World, to what they would do if they were the President of the United States. 

The display I made in my classroom for Thanksgiving!

Last week I decided to learn about Thanksgiving with all of my classes. As a Brit, I didn't really know much about it myself before, so it was nice too learn along with them. One of my friends suggested making turkeys using the handprints and footprints of the children, which they all loved. It was a fun activity that got them all interacting with each other. In one of my classes there is a problem with bullying, but even they all mixed together to have a good time, and to learn new things - I would never have imagined that the bully and the person being bullied would be working together to make the most colourful paper turkey in the class! So for me, it felt like I was starting to make progress, and get through to my kids!

I have been so fortunate with my school. All of the teachers in the English department are incredibly thoughtful and sweet, and I have really appreciated their support during my first few months. They're always interested in what I'm doing, how I'm finding Vigo, and that I'm having a good time. A few weeks ago they took me for lunch, which was not only yummy, but very relaxed and they really made me feel like one of them. There are 6 other teachers in the department, and they're all a lot older than me, but they don't treat me like I'm younger. They treat me as an equal, despite my lack of experience, which has been so reassuring. I could not be happier with the people I work with, and through bringing them chocolate cake, I think they're pretty happy with me too, despite calling me a Barbie on my first day.

I have been really surprised to find that I'm enjoying teaching - I certainly never thought that I would. I find it incredibly rewarding to see the looks on my students faces when they understand something I've explained to them, or when they're getting excited for my classes. When the younger students run up to me in the corridors to ask me questions, whether it's what I'm doing at the weekend or how to say a bizarre word, it genuinely makes my day. I really never thought it would effect me like that!

So for anyone thinking of doing a British Council Assistantship in the future, I would say GO FOR IT! It's an amazing opportunity to experience teaching, whether you're interested in it as a career or not. Believe me, you will enjoy it and learn a lot more from it than you think.

Catherine x